Answering the Call: Volunteering to Protect Sea Turtles in Costa Rica

I have been involved with volunteering since I was a child. Being involved with sea turtles has been on my bucket list nearly all my life, and now that we are here in Costa Rica, we are able to help with patrolling the beaches in hopes of saving sea turtle eggs from poachers. When I heard that only 1 in 1000 hatchlings survive the journey to adulthood and that poachers continue to raid the nests, it sparked a calling to help where we can, especially at the local beach where we live, known for sea turtle nest sites. Sea turtles are already on the endangered list, making this even more critical. Patrolling early in the mornings or in the evenings provides many benefits: saving and relocating sea turtle eggs to a protected hatchery for a higher success rate of hatching, getting great exercise, enjoying the night or early morning skies along the beach, and feeling a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.

Volunteers carefully take measurements of the nests, collect data about the turtles and their tracks, count the eggs, record the location, and, when possible, properly tag the turtles. Data is then entered to help monitor and track activity coordinated with the government of Costa Rica.

Although it is disheartening to encounter nests previously poached, we strive even further to look for nests and safely, carefully relocate the eggs to the hatchery, where in about 45–60 days, we gleefully release the hatchlings safely to sea, hoping to elevate the sea turtle population.

Poachers are successful in illegally riding dirt bikes along the beaches, destroying the natural habitat and preventing the sea turtle population from increasing. Volunteers are desperately needed to help fill in vacant beach patrolling time slots. Increased education and awareness are key to encouraging the next generation to help protect these beautiful creatures.

With continued volunteerism, education, and awareness, we hope to prevent sea turtles from extinction.